| Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach in Germany | €3,049 £2,597 GBP $3,361 USD | Preferred | August | None |
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Germany is a popular destination for tourists and TEFL teachers alike, but how many opportunities are there? Here’s our quick guide to getting a job teaching English in Germany.
Blending historic charm, modern cities, and a strong economy, Germany is a top destination for TEFL teachers. Whether you're drawn to Berlin’s nightlife, Oktoberfest in Bavaria, or Hamburg’s cosmopolitan energy, there’s plenty of demand for English teachers nationwide.
English is widely spoken in Germany, and Business English is especially popular, making it a lucrative option for teachers with a background or interest in finance or corporate training. However, competition can be tough. Many schools prefer hiring local teachers due to their high English proficiency and lower costs.
In this article, we’ll explore where to find teaching jobs in Germany, the types of positions available, what qualifications you’ll need, how to secure jobs, and what kind of salary you can earn.
Where to Find TEFL Jobs in Germany
Where can you find English teaching jobs in this fascinating country? English proficiency in Germany is extremely high. The country ranks 10th in the world for English proficiency, which points to a well-established culture of English teaching. This means there aren’t many chances to teach young learners. In state schools, German teachers usually handle English classes.
Most TEFL jobs in Germany are in adult education. Private language schools and tutoring are where most English teachers work. You’ll have even more job opportunities if you can teach Business English, English for Academic Purposes, or other specialised areas.
Some teachers find opportunities by visiting schools with their CV or hearing about roles through word of mouth. While there aren’t many jobs teaching kids, summer camps can be a great way to start. Camps often include sports, music, and other activities alongside English lessons. These jobs are a good way to gain experience and network. They may lead to year-round work, especially since English teachers are often expected to help with extracurricular activities too.
Types of English teaching jobs in Germany
For an English teacher in Germany, jobs are often part-time or temporary. This means it's vital to know where you can find roles teaching English, what's on offer, and what each type of institution is like.
Public schools
English teacher jobs within Germany's state education system are limited. This is mainly because the levels of English proficiency in Germany are so high. English has been taught in German schools for generations, and the standard of lessons is high. However, there may be schools out there looking for foreign teachers (some schools might prefer a native English speaker), so if you have qualifications including a degree, TEFL certification and some teaching experience, it’s worth scoping out jobs across state schools.
Teaching programmes/summer camps in Germany
Teaching programmes and summer camps are a great way to start teaching English. Germany has a range of options, including:
- Camp Adventure: This popular choice has camps across Germany. You’ll need TEFL certification and some experience working with children.
- Fokus Camps: Another option that suits teachers hoping to travel across Germany, Fokus Camps require teachers to have a TEFL certificate and a background in either education or youth work.
- LEOlingo Sprachcamps: If you have English fluency and some teaching experience, LEOlingo Sprachcamps wants to hear about it.
- Penguin Camp: Geared towards young learners, Penguin Camps need candidates with a TEFL qualification to help.
- Sphairos: If you have experience in immersive English teaching and TEFL certification, Sphairos is an exciting option.
Employers in Germany
If you're eager to teach English abroad in Germany, here are some key resources for finding those all-important teaching jobs:
- See our TEFL Jobs Centre to find the best opportunities to begin teaching English in Germany and worldwide.
- The good old Yellow Pages (Gelbe Seiten) is a useful resource for finding English teaching jobs across Germany.
- English Jobs Germany is a comprehensive and regularly updated resource for English teaching jobs in Germany.
- For a role in one of the country’s 2,000 Volkshochschulen (adult education centres), ELTABB (English Language Teachers Association Berlin-Brandenburg) is a great place to network with English teachers in Germany and find jobs in the area.
- Glassdoor is a valuable resource for posting jobs in Germany. It covers international schools, universities, private schools, and all other kinds of employers.
Best cities for English teaching jobs in Germany
Where are the best cities for teaching English abroad in Germany? Here are some of our picks:
Berlin
One of Europe's most exciting cities, Berlin offers many teaching opportunities, world-famous nightlife, and landmarks like the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate.
A centre of art, culture and tourism, Berlin is an international city with millions of annual visitors. If you can teach Business English, English for Academic Purposes or conversational English, employers will want your CV, specifically in the busy private language centres.Every neighbourhood has a distinct feel, from Mitte's more quaint surroundings to fashionable areas like Kreuzberg and Schöneberg, where David Bowie and Iggy Pop once lived. If you have a TEFL certification, love a busy metropolis and have an interest in music and art, consider being an English teacher in Berlin.
Frankfurt
With its status as the economic heart of Germany, it's easy to think Frankfurt might be stuffy and, dare we say, a bit dull. This couldn't be less true. Home to landmarks like the Römer, full of fantastic restaurants and gorgeous riverside walks, Frankfurt is an exciting place to teach English.
Of course, the business side of Frankfurt does help. For an English teacher, jobs relating to Business English are plentiful. Also, the city's universities also have opportunities in abundance for teachers who feel like tutoring and lecturing is their path.
Munich
Have you really done Oktoberfest if you haven't celebrated it in Munich? The Bavarian capital is where Germany's history shines through, with sites like the Nymphenburg Palace and St. Peter's Church, built in the 12th Century.
Oktoberfest, though, really has to be experienced in Munich. Germany's most popular beers and foods are made in Bavaria, with Weisswurst, Brezen and a range of other local delicacies on the menu. If you like beer gardens, views of the Alps and a welcoming, boisterous atmosphere, Munich is the place to be.
The level of tourism in Munich means plenty of English speakers, and businesses that need an English teacher to help them out. Not only that, but you might find more opportunities in secondary schools and international schools in Munich.
Salary and Common Teacher Benefits in Germany
What is the average salary for an English teacher in Germany, and what can teachers expect alongside their monthly wages?
Salary
On average, an English teacher can earn a monthly salary of around €3,049 (£2,597 / $3,361) working full time. However, full-time contracts are quite rare. It’s more common for English teachers to work on a freelance basis and to be paid per lesson. As a teacher, you can expect to charge around €20-€25 ($22-$27/£17-£21) for a 45-minute lesson as an inexperienced teacher. Experienced, highly qualified teachers can earn up to €30-€40+ ($32-$43/£25-£33) over the same duration.
In state education, pay grades for teachers in Germany differ by region. Usually, when you start teaching in Germany, you’ll be paid at the A12 grade level and will advance through the grades as you build up years of experience. International schools and private schools will usually pay a higher average salary.
Accommodation
Top private and international schools can lure top English teaching talent with the promise of accommodation. This bonus is offered either as a stipend or a furnished apartment.
Visa assistance
Any non-EU national seeking an opportunity in Germany will need a job offer from a German employer to gain a work visa. The exceptions to this rule are citizens of Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, the USA, or Israel, who may enter the country without a visa and apply for a residence permit once there.Typically, German employers don’t provide financial support for TEFL teachers during the work visa application process. Instead, they’re usually expected to provide a “Declaration of Employment” form and guide employees through the process.
Other benefits
If you work for a state school, you’re entitled to various state benefits since you’re a civil servant. These include pension payments, health insurance, paid holidays, sick leave and maternity/paternity cover.
Private schools and companies can offer additional benefits to English teachers in Germany. These include help with living expenses, additional paid time off, language lessons and performance bonuses.
Requirements for English Teaching Jobs in Germany
What do you need to start teaching English abroad in Germany?
- You will need TEFL certification - a TEFL course of 120 hours is the industry standard.
- An advanced TEFL certification - especially in Business English or English for Academic Purposes - will help you find work.
- Many employers seek applicants with teaching experience and a bachelor’s degree. These are mandatory for jobs in international schools and universities, for example.
- While some employers prefer native English speakers, not being a "native" speaker won't disqualify you from teaching English in Germany.
- German language skills are beneficial.
Visa and Work Permit Requirements
- EU citizens can work in Germany without a work visa but must register with the local district authority within one week of finding accommodation.
- Non-EU citizens must apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) before arriving in Germany.
- A work visa application for Germany requires a valid passport, a job offer letter, projected income, and a completed application form.
- Freelance teaching without a visa is generally only possible for EU citizens.
How to Find Jobs in Germany
The best approach to landing a teaching job in Germany is to use a combination of strategies. Here are some of the most effective:
- Online job boards: Start with The TEFL Org Jobs Centre, which lists regularly updated English teaching opportunities across Germany.
- Recruitment agencies: While less common than in some countries, some recruitment agencies work with TEFL teachers, especially for specialised roles like Business English.
- Networking: Social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit can help you connect with teachers already in Germany and reveal unadvertised roles.
- Apply directly: Many TEFL teachers find work by contacting schools directly. Bring copies of your CV and visit schools in person.
- Word of mouth: Wherever you teach, referrals from other teachers are a powerful way to find opportunities, particularly in tutoring or in smaller schools.
What You Need to Know About Teaching English in Germany
English education is taken seriously in Germany. However, given the high levels of English proficiency in Germany, full-time work opportunities are pretty limited. Most opportunities can be found in adult education, such as teaching English for Business and Academia.
TEFL jobs are most commonly found in private language schools, corporate training, and private tutoring. Teaching children is less common, though summer camps and bilingual private schools do have opportunities for English teachers in Germany.
Explore job opportunities in Germany
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is there a demand for English teachers in Germany?
Yes, there is demand for English teachers in Germany. The majority of the demand is from adult learners who require English for business and academics.
Q. What are the best months to apply for English teaching jobs in Germany?
There are limited opportunities in schools across Germany, but the jobs that do go there are normally filled in June and July. Private language schools hire year-round.
Q. Do I need a TEFL/TESOL certification to teach English in Germany?
Germany offers excellent opportunities for teachers with TEFL certification. A bachelor's degree and teaching experience are also valuable.
Q. Can I find English teaching jobs in Germany without knowing German?
It certainly helps to know some German, but you can generally find English teaching jobs in Germany without being fluent. In Germany, international schools will require German fluency, and private schools may also insist on this, but you can find entry-level jobs without being fluent in German.
Germany is a popular European destination, and many teachers want to know whether they can teach there. Here are the answers to the web's most-asked questions: